Coming soon a very exciting blade attributed to one of the Masamune 10 disciples. Sekishu Naotsuna. He was a smith that worked on the late Kamakura period. This coincides with Masamunes time. Naotsuna is the representative smith from Iwami, he primarily worked in the Soshu tradition being influenced by Masamune. This katana has been shortened losing its original tang and signature. The upper portion is still 72.7 cm long! So this must have been an enormous Tachi when it was in original form. Many blades from the Nanbokucho era have been shortened to suit the style worn in the Edo period. Great blades such as this piece were remounted by higher ups and kept as they were blades of high quality. This blade has. A very strong hamon of gunome with some notare showing well the Soshu influence. There is alot of nie activity, and sunagashii runs throughout the hamon in abundance. The ji has itame with masame, chikei is verey apparant. Boshi is very healthy done in a Soshu midare. This blade is a very representative piece of Naotsuna.Encased in Shirasaya and NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token. A candidate for Juyo shinsa.
